Gritty Ducks hang on for 2-1 victory behind Andersen

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (right) looks on as Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen makes a save in the third period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

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The Ducks' Nick Bonino (right) and Derek Dorsett battle for the puck during the first period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. MADDIE MEYER, GETTY IMAGES

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Carl Hagelin (62) of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal by Michael Del Zotto at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. BRUCE BENNETT, GETTY IMAGES

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The New York Rangers' Derek Dorsett and the Ducks Bryan Allen (back) battle for control of the puck during the second period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. MADDIE MEYER, GETTY IMAGES

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New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes the third period save on the Ducks' Dustin Penner at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. BRUCE BENNETT, GETTY IMAGES

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New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) takes a shot but misses as Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) defends in the second period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

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Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (left) and New York Rangers center Brad Richards (center) watch as Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen blocks a shot in the second period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

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Ducks right wing Rickard Rakell (right) defends against New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider in the second period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

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Ducks left wing Patrick Maroon (62) watches as New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (4) and Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) react after Del Zotto scored a goal in the second period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

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The Ducks' Bryan Allen (55) checks Mats Zuccarello of the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. BRUCE BENNETT, GETTY IMAGES

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (right) looks on as Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen makes a save in the third period at Madison Square Garden Monday in New York City. KATHY WILLENS, AP

NEW YORK – Frederik Andersen offered more evidence to support the argument the Ducks have a ridiculous amount of depth in net.

The young Danish goalie lifted the Ducks on the final stop of their eight-game trip, turning it into a great one by making 32 saves in a gritty 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Andersen improved to 4-0 to start his NHL career and was stellar in his third start as the Ducks (12-3-1) jumped atop the Pacific Division and the entire league with 25 points.

“You don’t picture yourself winning four in a row, but you want to win every time you go on the ice,” Andersen said. “It’s just fun playing on a team that’s this good.”

Corey Perry and Kyle Palmieri supported Andersen with first-period goals, but the netminder made a one-goal lead stand up with several big saves in the third, robbing the Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh twice and Benoit Pouliot once on consecutive rushes.

Andersen is up with the Ducks because Viktor Fasth has been battling a nagging lower-body injury. Now the new backup is showing he is NHL-caliber as well, joining Jonas Hiller while John Gibson is already tearing up the American Hockey League.

“You have a lot of people talk about that one-two punch in net,” Palmieri said. “The fact that we have a one-two-three is pretty special.”

The game ended with the Ducks killing off back-to-back penalties in the final five minutes and the big line of Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner hogging the puck on a five-on-three power play.

“We got the job done tonight,” Perry said. “That was huge. A couple of big blocks by some guys out there. We dug deep for this one.”

The Ducks finished their longest trek of the season with a 5-2-1 mark after starting with losses in Toronto and Montreal.

“The last six games were spectacular,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “All the credit goes to the guys for their determination and character.”

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